Page 53 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

She dropped the drape and returned to where Eunice stood shaking out her skirts. “I must dress for dinner. I will attend the Robinsons’ ball this evening. I assume your mother and father are attending also?”

Suzanna gave a very unladylike snort. “Unless Mother is near death, she would not miss attending any event where she can drag more titled gentlemen into my path. It is becoming downright humiliating the way she behaves.”

Eunice patted her cheek. “Don’t give up yet, Suzanna. I have a feeling that young man of yours is not about to surrender.” She gave her a light kiss on her cheek and turned to leave the room but stopped. “I am sorry to inform you that your mother has declined the invitation Mr. Templeton offered to you for the theater.”

“But that invitation was also to you and Lord Montford!”

“We will attend another time. I don’t want to make things any more difficult for your young man.”

After a bath and assistance from Eunice’s lady’s maid, Bessie, Suzanna pulled on her gloves, picked up her fan and shawl, and left the room. She had elected to have a dinner tray brought up, not feeling very sociable.

She had expected Father to summon her after Giles had left, but he hadn’t. Now she felt a knot growing in her stomach as she descended the stairs. Most certainly, Father had told Mother about Giles’s visit, and no doubt Suzanna would be subjected to another harangue in the carriage on the way to the ball.

Father was assisting Mother with her wrap as Suzanna descended the stairs. Mother turned and viewed her with narrowed eyes. “I have a few things to say to you in the carriage, young lady, but, since Lady Montford will be joining us, I will hold my tongue.”

Suzanna nodded and moved to take her father’s arm. “However,” Mother continued as she took his other arm, “you know precisely what I have to speak with you about. You are to forget Mr. Templeton’s visit here today. You will ignore him at the ball, and you will make yourself pleasant and charming with the other gentlemen there.”

“You mean all the titled gentlemen.”

If Mother recognized her statement as sarcasm, she did not acknowledge it. Instead, she swept through the door, her head held high.

Chapter Fifteen

Giles watched the guests as they were announced by the butler and then made their way down the stairs. He’d been waiting at the Robinsons’ ball for some time for Suzanna to arrive.

He was still fuming from the meeting with Mr. Blake earlier in the day. While the man had been courteous and friendly, his absolute refusal to allow him to court Suzanna was a surprise. Even though Suzanna had told him of her mother’s wishes, he did not truly believe parents would be so set on something that they put their own desires ahead of their daughter’s happiness.

“Why so serious, Templeton?” Cam’s voice came from behind him. Giles turned to see him and Hawk grinning. “You look as though you intend to devour the next person down the steps.”

Giles shook his head. “Not devour, as much as abscond and escape.”

Hawk grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing footman and handed one to Giles. “Ah, methinks our friend here is having woman issues.”

Giles took a gulp of the drink. “Indeed.”

“I hate to be an ‘I told you so’ type of friend, but we did warn you way back at Bedford’s wedding that the illustrious Miss Blake would settle for only a title.” Hawk regarded him with raised eyebrows. “Are you certain you want to pursue a woman with those requirements?”

“I have come to find out that it is not Miss Blake’s wishes, but her parents. Specifically, her mother, who wants a title for her daughter.”

“Bugger that,” Cam said. “Too many mamas are of the same opinion. But one would think a gentleman with money and connections would do quite well for their little darlings.”

Giles downed the rest of his drink. “I even bearded the lion in his own den earlier today. I went to speak with her father.”

“From your morose demeanor, that did not go well?” Cam asked.

“He refused my request to court her,” Giles snapped. “No amount of logical, persuasive discourse would change his mind. The man is obviously under his wife’s thumb.”

“It sounds as though you are in a bad spot, my friend.” Hawk leaned his shoulder

against the wall and regarded him. “What is your next move?”

“I am not giving up.”

“No one who knows you would expect that,” Cam said.

“Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Blake. Miss Suzanna Blake.” The insipid tone of the butler rose above the noise of the crowd. At least to Giles’s ears. He turned to see Suzanna and her parents making their way down the stairs to join the guests on the ballroom floor.

“There is your lady love.” Hawk nodded in Suzanna’s direction.